Best Fireworks Spots in D.C, Md., and Va.

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This Fourth of July, shake up the tradition by visiting some of these other great fireworks displays in the District, Maryland and Virginia area. From Alexandria to Annapolis, these spots across the states are guaranteed to be a great time.

District of Columbia

• 4th of July Fireworks on the National Mall
Fireworks Time: At dark, usually around 9:15 p.m. (rain date July 5th)
Launch Location: The fireworks are launched from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and light up the sky over the Washington Monument.

• Washington, DC’s Independence Day Parade
Parade Start Time: 11:45 a.m.
Parade Route: Constitution Avenue and 7th to 17th Streets
Washington, DC’s 4th of July Parade features marching bands, military and specialty units, floats, and VIP’s. The parade draws a large crowd, so plan to arrive early to stake out a good viewing spot.

• A Capitol Fourth Concert
Time: 8-9:30 p.m. (Admittance begins at 3 p.m.)
Location: West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
Live concert by the National Symphony Orchestra and several artists performing patriotic music on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building. The concert and show is followed by a spectacular display of fireworks over the Washington Monument. The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets required.

Maryland

• Annapolis – The annual Annapolis Harbor fireworks show will begin around 9:15 p.m. The display will be launched from a barge in the Harbor and can be viewed from many locations in the area. A parade will take place earlier in the day.

• Baltimore – Live music and a fireworks show will be available in the heart of downtown Baltimore at the Ports America Chesapeake Fourth of July Celebration. Entertainment is provided by Top 40s bands Thunderball at 4 p.m. followed by the U.S. Naval Academy Band Electric Brigade at 7 p.m. Performances take place at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater, located at Pratt and Light streets. The fireworks show, choreographed to festive music, begins at 9:30 p.m.

• Bowie – The City of Bowie and the Bowie Baysox are partnering up to provide a free fireworks show at Prince George’s Stadium (4101 Crain Highway). The program, which includes live music, begins at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks are at 9:15 p.m.

• Bowie (Six Flags) – Six Flags America’s July 4th Fest will take place at the park (13710 Central Avenue) July 4 – 6. Fireworks and live entertainment will be available every night. Park entry tickets are required.

• College Park – The University of Maryland and the City of College Park are once again breaking out the red, white and blue for a fabulous July 4th celebration. A free concert and fireworks are on tap for Independence Day at the University of Maryland in Lot 1 adjacent to Campus Drive off Adelphi Road. Fireworks begin around 9 p.m.

• Cockeysville – Join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in Oregon Ridge Park (13401 Beaver Dam Road) for their Star-Spangled Spectacular. The annual celebration features Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever and many more classics, played over a dazzling display of fireworks. Tickets are required. Performances will begin at 8 p.m. on July 3 and July 4.

• Dundalk – Dundalk’s 4th of July fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. While the fireworks can be viewed from numerous sites throughout Dundalk, they are primarily centered around the North Point Government Center (1747 Merritt Boulevard).

• Frederick – “Frederick’s 4th,” an Independence Day celebration that begins at noon, will be held in Baker Park. There’s something for everyone at this festival, and it’s topped off with a fireworks display at dusk.

• Gaithersburg – Gates to the Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds (16 Chestnut Street) open at 5 p.m. Friday for a celebration that includes food, live music and, of course, a fireworks display set to launch at dusk.

• Germantown – “Germantown Glory” will begin at the SoccerPlex in the South Germantown Recreational Park (18041 Central Park Circle, Boyds) at 7 p.m. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. Low lawn chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome at both events. Food vendors will be on site. No alcoholic beverages are permitted.

• Greenbelt – A free fireworks display will begin at about 9 p.m. at Buddy Attick Lake Park (555 Crescent Road). Feel free to bring a picnic, walk the lake trail and enjoy the playground beforehand. There will also be a community drum circle and a concert.

• Kensington – “Mid-County Sparkles” will be held at Albert Einstein High School (11135 Newport Mill Road) beginning at 7:30 p.m. A fireworks display will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. Since there will be no on-site parking at the school or at adjacent properties, except for handicapped parking, shuttle buses will pick up passengers, beginning at 6:15 p.m., at Westfield Wheaton and the Wheaton Metro Station. Low lawn chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome at both events. Food vendors will be on site. No alcoholic beverages are permitted.

• Takoma Park – This year is Takoma Park’s 125th Independence Day celebration. A parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., and an evening program that ends with fireworks will begin at 7 p.m. at Takoma Park Middle School (7611 Piney Branch Road).

• Waldorf – Celebrate Charles is a family-friendly Independence Day event with live music, food and fireworks. It will begin at Regency Furniture Stadium (11765 St. Linus Drive) at 4:30 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 p.m.

Virginia

• Alexandria (July 12) – Celebrate the United States and the City of Alexandria’s birthdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street). Enjoy a concert by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra at 9 and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. More info.

• Fairfax – An Independence Day Parade through the downtown Fairfax City area begins at 10 a.m. Musical entertainment begins at 7 p.m. at Fairfax High School with a spectacular fireworks display at dark. More info.

• Herndon – Join the Town of Herndon for a family-fun July 4th event featuring games, patriotic arts and craft activities, bingo, food, face painting, balloon artists and more at the Herndon Community Center (814 Ferndale Avenue). Events begin at 6:30 p.m., fireworks accompanied by music begin at 9:30 p.m.

• McLean – Grounds at Langley High School (6520 Georgetown Pike) open at 8 p.m., fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Shuttle buses will be available from St. John’s Lutheran Church (on Douglass St. and Georgetown Pike) and the McLean Community Center.

• Reston – Visit Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston) for a day of fun before a fireworks show with a special performance of the U.S. Army Field Band begins at 9:15 p.m. More info.